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Priest has September court date in theft case

ALGONA — A Catholic priest accused of stealing nearly $70,000 from two churches in Kossuth County faces a September court date. The Rev. Steven J. McLoud, 65, of Fort Dodge, has been charged with first degree theft and first degree fraudulent practice, according to the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office and court records. In criminal complaints filed against him, sheriff’s deputies accuse McLoud of stealing $69,781.82 between Aug. 1, 2017, and Jan. 1, 2023. They reported that $39,821.94 was taken from Divine Mercy Parish — St. Cecilia in Algona. McLoud is also accused of ...

FD is tops in Special Olympics donations

Fort Dodge won the gold medal in the recent Special Olympics Iowa Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser. The city Police Department was recently informed that Fort Dodge was the No. 1 fundraising location in Iowa this year. Area residents donated $3,137.02 to Special Olympics Iowa during the Aug. 16 event at Dunkin’, 2520 Fifth Ave. S. Personnel from the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office and the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility were at the shop from 6 a.m. to noon that day to collect the donations. Donors received coupons for doughnuts and coffee.Those who ...

Concert set at Otho church

OTHO — The Otho United Methodist Church will host a concert by Chuck Crain beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the church. Freewill offerings will be accepted.

Free cookout planned

A free community cook-out will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 1 at Athletics for Education and Success, 712 Third St. N.W. The menu will include burgers, hot dogs and more. The cookout is sponsored by the Western Iowa Labor Federation and Athletics for Education and Success.

About $3,100 raised for Special Olympics

The Cop on a Rooftop event Friday at Dunkin’ in Fort Dodge raised $3,137.02 for Special Olympics Iowa. “What an amazing number,” Police Chief Dennis Quinn said. “Fort Dodge once again showed what a wonderful community it is by throwing its support behind Special Olympics Iowa,” he added. “Thank you to everyone that stopped by that morning to donate to this wonderful organization.” Police officers and staffers from the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, including some officers on the roof of the building, solicited donations for Special Olympics Iowa from 6 a.m. to noon ...

Farmland Leasing meeting in Fort Dodge Thursday

The Iowa State University Webster County Extension and Outreach office will host a Farmland Leasing meeting beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Webster County Extension office, 822 Central Ave. (first floor of the Wells Fargo building). The meeting will last approximately 2 1/2 hours and will be facilitated by Alexis Stevens, farm and agriculture business management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. The discussion will focus on various methods to determine a fair 2024 cash rental rate and the importance of good tenant/landlord communications. Emphasis will be placed on ...